Heaven knows, it is difficult enough in these brutal, fretful days to keep any serious relationship fresh, stimulating and alive through the good and the bad times. Where once it was assumed that partnership involved serious, long-term commitment, today those of us who manage to stay “hitched” for five or even ten years are often… Continue reading On establishing a relationship with a publisher
Read moreIt’s all about contacts, you know. There’s no point in sitting at home, gazing out of the window and sucking your pen, expecting your career as an author to look after itself. You have to be out there in the real world – or, at least in the book world. Test the variety and worth… Continue reading On discovering whether one is worth knowing
Read moreWhen, on the letters page of the last issue, Mr William Stevenson of Edinburgh wrote, ‘I have long felt that what The Author needs is an Agony page,’ he was representing the views of many readers. This column now and then offers emotional, therapeutic advice to writers, as a result of which the Endpaper office… Continue reading On discouraging the young from becoming a writer
Read moreA writer friend was rung by her agent. He had good news. The author’s publisher had acted with surprising dynamism and efficiency and had secured for her next novel privileged, front-of-shop status with of the one of the book chains. ‘I think you should send them some flowers,’ said the agent. Pleased as she was,… Continue reading On caring for your publisher
Read moreIt has been brought to the attention of this column that many Society members do not have access to the internet and are therefore unaware of the many opportunities for writers and would-be writers in the government’s exciting new creative industries initiative. As a one-off service to the cybernetically challenged, we are pleased to be… Continue reading On becoming part of the creative arts industry
Read moreAt a recent festival, the subject under debate was whether there was such a thing as literary London but, because a high proportion of the audience were would-be writers, an edgy, anxious discussion soon developed about the art of networking. Where should one be seen? Who should one meet? Those of us on stage tried… Continue reading On attending the right literary events
Read moreThere comes a time in the life of many novelists when the terrible possibility begins to dawn that he may not, after all, win the Booker Prize, that even a sniff at the Whitbread might be beyond him. He has learnt down the years that prizes rarely have any connection with real, lasting worth –… Continue reading On writing bad sex
Read moreA senior agent boasted in a recent interview that an important part of his job lay in advising authors on a variety of non-literary matters. One of them might need to know what to wear for a publishing meeting; another was concerned as to whether he should drink wine or beer when lunching with his… Continue reading On etiquette for a writer
Read moreEvery six months it happens. Authors all over the country receive a communication from their publisher which, in brutally reductive terms, defines the state of their writing careers. It is called a royalty statement and, in many cases, has been carefully designed by experts to conceal rather more information than it reveals. This seems a… Continue reading On interpreting a royalty statement
Read moreRecently in these pages, a small number of idealistic authors have been arguing for more honesty and openness from their publishers. The culture of casual, routine deception is harmful, it has been said. There should be a great bonfire of publishers’ lies, after which negotiation and communication between them and us should be conducted in… Continue reading On understanding your publisher’s speech at a launch party
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